Refugees by country of origin in Ghana
Ghana: Refugees by country of origin was 15,078 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Refugees by country of origin in Ghana, 1961–2024
Source: UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2024, refugees by country of origin in Ghana stood at 15,078 people.
The figure is up 8.7% on the previous year and down 31.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugees by country of origin in Ghana peaked at 24,269 people in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 people, in 1966.
Ghana ranks 53rd of 204 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugees by country of origin in Ghana, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5,000 people | — |
| 1962 | 5,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 5,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 5,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 5,000 people | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 0 people | -100.0% |
| 1982 | 310 people | — |
| 1983 | 1,958 people | +531.6% |
| 1984 | 2,202 people | +12.5% |
| 1985 | 3,195 people | +45.1% |
| 1986 | 2,699 people | -15.5% |
| 1987 | 3,916 people | +45.1% |
| 1988 | 4,769 people | +21.8% |
| 1989 | 4,716 people | -1.1% |
| 1990 | 4,690 people | -0.6% |
| 1991 | 4,702 people | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 4,776 people | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 4,471 people | -6.4% |
| 1994 | 14,284 people | +219.5% |
| 1995 | 13,594 people | -4.8% |
| 1996 | 15,100 people | +11.1% |
| 1997 | 14,772 people | -2.2% |
| 1998 | 13,625 people | -7.8% |
| 1999 | 13,288 people | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 14,760 people | +11.1% |
| 2001 | 14,547 people | -1.4% |
| 2002 | 15,675 people | +7.8% |
| 2003 | 15,866 people | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 14,759 people | -7.0% |
| 2005 | 18,421 people | +24.8% |
| 2006 | 9,949 people | -46.0% |
| 2007 | 5,042 people | -49.3% |
| 2008 | 13,225 people | +162.3% |
| 2009 | 14,876 people | +12.5% |
| 2010 | 20,175 people | +35.6% |
| 2011 | 20,333 people | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 24,269 people | +19.4% |
| 2013 | 21,048 people | -13.3% |
| 2014 | 22,116 people | +5.1% |
| 2015 | 22,962 people | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 15,527 people | -32.4% |
| 2017 | 16,959 people | +9.2% |
| 2018 | 18,071 people | +6.6% |
| 2019 | 18,432 people | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 13,844 people | -24.9% |
| 2021 | 14,251 people | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 14,949 people | +4.9% |
| 2023 | 13,870 people | -7.2% |
| 2024 | 15,078 people | +8.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 4,167 people | 0 people | 5,000 people | 6 |
| 1980s | 2,971 people | 310 people | 4,769 people | 8 |
| 1990s | 10,330 people | 4,471 people | 15,100 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 13,712 people | 5,042 people | 18,421 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 19,989 people | 15,527 people | 24,269 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,398 people | 13,844 people | 15,078 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More population data for Ghana
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2469 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 52,232 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.76 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5066 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Population density 296.87 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.28 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugees by country of origin in Ghana?
- Refugees by country of origin in Ghana was 15,078 people in 2024, according to UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugees by country of origin recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 24,269 people in 2012.
- What is the lowest refugees by country of origin recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 people in 1966.
- How does Ghana rank for refugees by country of origin?
- Ghana ranks 53rd out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is refugees by country of origin rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from UNHCR (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Refugees by country of origin. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People who fled their country of origin and are in need of international protection. Refugees are those who have already been granted asylum status in the country they moved to. This includes all refugees, not just those who fled that year.